Bang Tango / Adler’s Appetite / Faster Pussycat

Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
August 3rd, 2006

On August 2nd I got an e-mail from Michael Thomas (Fastback) telling me he is playing guitar for Faster Pussycat and will be in our area of New Jersey on August 3rd at Dingbatz, and do I want to come down? Naturally, I do, since Michael is a friend and I see him as a premiere artist: how could I resist? He also told me to look out for a new Fastback CD early next year.

Once we got to the show Pennsylvania’s The Dropoutz were playing, and were a good band to open up the show, even throwing swags to the small crowd. Their rock alternative style was flowing and vocalist Mikki Twist belted out the tunes for almost an hour. Dingbatz entertains great shows, but still I have no idea why they have big acts coming on a weekday and shows that don’t end until 2 a.m. when people have work in the morning. Anyway, next to hit the stage were Joe LeSte and Bang Tango slashing through crowd favorites like “Love Injection,” “Someone like You” and their hit “Dance On Coals.” LeSte and Mark Simpson bonded with their musical direction as night fell. Their set must have been about 45 minutes but with a short break both LeSte and Simpson were back on stage in Adler’s Appetite.

Steven Adler crept from behind the backdrop to jump on the drums smoking a tree. Adler really got the almost-packed house rockin’. For some reason Adler only played four songs of all the Guns N’ Roses favorites, opening with “Nightrain” and then ripping through an amazing but very short set with “It’s So Easy” and “My Michelle”. Regardless of how people see Adler, the man had so much fun playing it poured into the crowd as he thanked everyone after each song. I felt the charisma flowing and he was so impressive with his playing and humor it was enjoyable. The set ended with “Welcome to the Jungle” with LeSte flying all over the stage with women dancing on the stage. Adler was laughing the night away. After the song, Steven came to the front of the stage to shake hands and thank everyone.

Faster Pussycat was up next but took a bit to set up their stage gear that had netting over their cabinets and skull backdrops on the sides of the stage. The band hit the stage at 12:15 with Taime Downe dressed in a Gestapo style outfit, chain-smoking one after another. He apparently needed some reaction from the Jersey people, and he got it. The band was tight and reeled off many favorites like “Bathroom Wall,” “You're So Vain” and “Shut up & Fuck.” They also played songs from their EP “Power & the Glory Hole” like “Number One with a Bullet,” which will be featured on their upcoming full-length release. Downe really did not move around much, more needing praise and wanted recognition for songs from the past. His vocals were at a premium and did not miss a beat but the action that took place was on the right side of the stage where Michael Thomas did not take a breath, giving the crowd 110% energy. So the balance between nonstop Thomas and laid-back Downe worked the crowd into frenzy, with the chicks in the front bouncing all over the place. The crowd rocked as if I was on a trampoline, and I am surprised any of the photos I took even came out that night.

As Downe looked like he was going to take a break, he sat down on the stage and hit you with “House of Pain,” which mellowed the room. The lights grew dim once again and FP shoved more rockers in your face with Michael Thomas having some fun with drummer Chad Stewart as they slammed knuckles then Thomas running to the front of the stage where he turned it up a notch with a solo. After his solo, Thomas came in front of me shaking my hand a giving me his guitar pick as the band walked off stage. I hate to be biased but Thomas was the main reason why I was there, and for me he was the highlight of the show. He put on a killer show, tearing it up with some fantastic guitar work and showmanship. It was a good night for Jersey and I hope everyone goes out and supports this tour and brings the metal back from beyond. I would also like to thank the guitar tech for Mark Simpson who helped me through the night.

Official Bang Tango website: http://bangtangomusic.com/